Chelmsford Park and Ride
{{Short description|Bus service in Essex, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox bus route
|number = Chelmsford Park and Ride
|bgcolor = #000000
|titlecolor = white
|logo = Essex Park and Ride Logo.PNG
|operator = Central Connect
|former_operator = First Essex
|vehicle = Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC
|timetable_link = Sandon [https://www.essexhighways.org/sandon-park-and-ride]
Chelmer Valley [https://www.essexhighways.org/chelmer-valley-park-and-ride]
}}
Chelmsford Park and Ride is a park and ride bus service operated by Central Connect on behalf of Essex County Council. Two routes are operated serving two park and ride sites in Sandon and Chelmer Valley. The service was previously operated by First Essex for 15 years from opening until 5 March 2022. On 7 March 2022, operation resumed with Central Connect.{{Cite web |last=Hilson |first=Aaron |date=2022-03-08 |title=Vectare takes over Chelmsford park & ride |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/vectare-takes-over-chelmsford-park-ride/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=CBW |language=en-GB}} The service was suspended on 28 March 2020{{Cite web|last=Ingram|first=Paige|date=2020-03-28|title=Park and Ride services to be suspended to slow spread of coronavirus|url=https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/essex-coronavirus-park-ride-services-3994289|access-date=2021-07-30|website=EssexLive|language=en}} due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sandon service resumed on 6 July 2020 with an every 15 minute circular service and Chelmer Valley on 3 August 2020 with an every 30 minute service.
Current Service
Two services are operated, Sandon Circular & Chelmer Valley Circular.
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Site | Operating Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| rowspan=2| Sandon
| Monday to Friday | ||
| Saturday 07:00 - 19:15 | Every 15 Minutes | |
| rowspan=2| Chelmer Valley
| Monday to Friday | ||
| Saturday 07:00 – 20:30 | Every 20 Minutes |
Previous Service
A Cross City service used to operate serving both sites operated by First Essex.
Park and Ride Sites
Currently there are two park and ride sites in Chelmsford. One in Sandon{{Cite web|url=https://www.essexhighways.org/getting-around/bus/park-and-ride/sandon-park-and-ride.aspx|title = Sandon Park and Ride | Essex County Council}} southeast of the city and another in Chelmer Valley{{Cite web|url=https://www.essexhighways.org/getting-around/bus/park-and-ride/chelmer-valley-park-and-ride.aspx|title=Chelmer Valley Park and Ride | Essex County Council}} to the north of the city. During the COVID-19 pandemic Chelmer Valley Park and Ride Site was planned to be used as a temporary mortuary, but this did not happen in the end.{{Cite news|date=2020-04-09|title=Coronavirus: Chelmsford park-and-ride to be temporary mortuary|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-52235687|access-date=2021-07-30}}{{Cite web|last=Ferris|first=Mick|date=2020-07-07|title=Parking machines to be removed at park and ride services in Chelmsford|url=https://www.yellowad.co.uk/parking-machines-to-be-removed-at-park-and-ride-services-in-chelmsford/|access-date=2021-07-30|website=Yellow Advertiser|language=en-GB}}
Fleet
Central Connect currently operate a fleet of Enviro200MMC buses on the Park and Ride. At peak times, a total of 8 vehicles are required across both routes.